Staying in Touch With Generation Mobile

Number of Connected Devices Owned

Almost half own four or more devices that are connected to a network. Two or more devices: 86%, Three or more devices: 64%, Four or more devices: 39%, Seven or more devices: 9%

A Time to Work Better

Just less than half—45%—say they are most efficient outside of standard working hours, and 70% prefer flexible working hours.

Percent Who Expect to Work From Home More

Among Gen Y workers, the number who expects to work from home rises to 49 percent.

Time Spent on Mobile Computing Devices

Just over half own a mobile device and over half spend more than seven hours a week on it. Up to seven hours: 14%, Between seven and 14 hours: 23%, Between 14 and 21 hours: 19%, Between 21 and 28 hours: 12%

Mobile computing is clearly transforming how we work and play, which is creating challenges for CIOs that need to provide the services and applications that make all the mobility possible. Employees, for example, are voting with their feet to work for companies that provide employees with a more flexible work experience. Meanwhile, customers are showing a clear preference for engaging with organizations that make it easier to connect with them using mobile devices. A new online survey of 5,000 people conducted by Aruba Networks finds that not only are people looking for a better mobile computing experience, but more than half say they would prefer to work from home or remotely for two to three days a week rather than receive a 10 percent higher salary. Just as significantly from a CIO perspective, less than a third of the people say they expected their company to provide them access to a mobile computing device.

Mike Vizard has been covering IT issues in the enterprise for 25 years as an editor and columnist for publications such as InfoWorld, eWeek, Baseline, CRN, ComputerWorld and Digital Review.